Education System In Romania - To Be Or Not To Be...

Education is a very important aspect in Romanians' life. Since time immemorial, in the smallest villages in the area they used to have a particular respect for the intellectuals of the village who used to be the teacher, the mayor and the priest. Consequently, nowadays it is more important then ever to be well educated. The education system in Romania seems in general quite difficult, both for teachers and students.

Nursery school begins at the age of three and it can finish at the age of six or seven, depending on the child’s capability. Classes start at 8 a.m. and they finish at noon. At the nursery school they learn to draw, to color, to listen to stories and then to prove what they have understood.

In addition they can learn to sing and dance, they are taught practical abilities, therefore they can learn by doing paper boats, snowflakes and other things related to their universe. They can learn as well foreign languages like English, German or even French, according to the nursery school’s profile.

At the end of the nursery school stage children are evaluated by the schools that they will attend. Primary education therefore starts at the age of six or seven and it finishes at the age of 10 or 11. In this case as well, classes start at 8 a.m. and they finish at noon too. Children do not have lunch at school but they can have a sandwich from home and as snack they get a small carton of milk and a roll.

Furthermore, during primary education in Romania, school subjects are Romanian, Mathematics, Music, Physical Education, Religion, Art, Practical Abilities, Geography, History, Biology, English or other foreign language. Nursery and primary school evaluation is performed via grades like “insufficient”, “sufficient”, “good” and ”very good”.

To continue, during lower secondary school, which lasts for four years too, students learn new subjects like Physics, Chemistry, another foreign language, which is French , German or Spanish. During the 7th grade they have to pass two national tests in Romanian and Mathematics at the end of each term. By the way, the academic year has two terms and children are on holiday for Christmas, between the two terms, for Easter and the summer holiday is from the 15th of June to the 15th of September.

The 8th grade is very important in the education system in Romania because at its end students have to pass a final test in Romanian, Mathematics and Geography or History. According to the marks they have got, which can be from 1 to 10, they can enter a high school.

Besides, they have the possibility to fill in a form containing lists of high schools and choose one or more, but it depends on their average mark at the test if they are distributed or not at the high school they want.

Those students who have not passed this exam have the possibility to attend vocational schools where they are taught more practical subjects and at the end of these schools they can have a qualification.

Finally, after four high school years they have to pass the baccalaureate exam and then they can enter the university they want. In the education system in Romania it is compulsory to attend school until the age of 16.